Midday Arrival or Full Park Day?

[TikiRob]

I thought we had plans set arriving to DLR on a Monday around noon, taking in Downtown Disney and then visiting the park Tues-Sat (departure day) with 5-day Hopper


The realization I just had is that this Disneyland trip (our first) has been in planning for years for our family and it might be a bummer to get all this way from the Midwest to be on the “outside looking in”!

Would it be inefficient to visit midday on Monday and skip the parks on Thursday?
My two major concerns is that it would give us one less crack at ROTR (I’d love to ride twice) and spring break FP availability at noon may be limited versus an earlier arrival on Thursday.

Thanks in advance for any thoughts!

 

[theluckyrabbit]

Well, Mondays have become pretty/very busy days (What’s up with Mondays?), so I'm not sure you want to jump right in as the crowds are building. Thursdays can be good days, especially if you have a MM that day (which would get you inside DL before park opening for a chance at a ROTR BG). One way to kick off the magic on your arrival day without needing a ticket to the parks is to do Goofy's Kitchen for dinner. That is the only character meal right now that offers dinner. Many people here like to start their DLR trips that way.

 

[TikiRob]

Well, Mondays have become pretty/very busy days (What’s up with Mondays?), so I'm not sure you want to jump right in as the crowds are building. Thursdays can be good days, especially if you have a MM that day (which would get you inside DL before park opening for a chance at a ROTR BG). One way to kick off the magic on your arrival day without needing a ticket to the parks is to do Goofy's Kitchen for dinner. That is the only character meal right now that offers dinner. Many people here like to start their DLR trips that way.

That is a great recommendation! We currently have a reservation that night at the Jazz Kitchen? I might be overthinking this all. What is one more day when you've been waiting hundreds! I think I'm more anxious than the kiddos.

 

[VandVsmama]

Skip Monday and stick with your original plan.

 

[bethwc101]

Skip Monday and stick with your original plan.

Agree

 

[TikiRob]

Thanks, all. I'm sure we will find stuff to do in Downtown Disney and we can explore the resort hotels. That's weird about Mondays, though I'd take a crazy Disney Monday over my usual Monday!

 

[katyringo]

skip Monday. If you want some Disneyland magic that day maybe have dinner at Goofy's kitchen.

 

[Canadian Harmony]

We're arriving around 1:30/2pm on a Sunday, and we plan to head straight into DCA and begin the fun. We are taking Wednesday to head to KBF, but only because we appreciate the break midway through the week.

But if you want to experience some magic, Goofy's is definitely a good way to kick off your week. Plus, you can wander through the Grand to check it out, as well as the different towers of the DLH to see the different themes and surprises they have.

 

[Susie63]

Downton Disney has lots to see and do! I could spend hours in the World of Disney store. Go with your original plan and have fun!!!!

 

[SOCALMouseMommy]

You will have fun hanging out in DTD... explore the hotels, maybe have dinner at Trader Sam’s on the outdoor patio with live music. Go to bed early so you can wake up fresh and ready to try for ROTR.

 

[chickapin parterre]

We're arriving around 1:30/2pm on a Sunday, and we plan to head straight into DCA and begin the fun. We are taking Wednesday to head to KBF, but only because we appreciate the break midway through the week.

But if you want to experience some magic, Goofy's is definitely a good way to kick off your week. Plus, you can wander through the Grand to check it out, as well as the different towers of the DLH to see the different themes and surprises they have.

Wednesday is the least busy day of the week, less busy than MM....but if you choose to still not use Wednesday, it would give evidence about the Mid-week theory of folks resting, taking a break, etc. I always though it was because no one flies on Wednesday that made Disneyland empty from open to noon.

 

[Canadian Harmony]

Wednesday is the least busy day of the week, less busy than MM....but if you choose to still not use Wednesday, it would give evidence about the Mid-week theory of folks resting, taking a break, etc. I always though it was because no one flies on Wednesday that made Disneyland empty from open to noon.

My calendar says Thursday, but I'm pretty sure my tickets say Wednesday... hmm... better double check!

I think it's probably a combination of the two - no fly-ins and break time.

 

[Indiana Scott]

It is indeed the worst kind of Disney torture to be there and not get in but Thurs will be a MUCH nicer day in the park!

 

[cruisehopeful]

I completely understand that feeling of being "right there" and not visiting the parks. The nice thing is that you can keep yourself really busy in Downtown Disney and also the hotels. While I haven't done the bowling or the Void, those are things you can look into. If you have a meal at Goofy's or Storyteller's and later have a snack and drink at Trader Sam's or Hearthstone, it's kind of like being at the park.

I haven't been on a Monday in a few years because everyone always says how busy it is. I don't mind extra busy on a Saturday, but for some reason, I can't deal with that on a Monday. I do think you'll be happier with a Thursday and as you said, it increases your odds for getting a boarding group.

 

[Aurora0427]

I thought we had plans set arriving to DLR on a Monday around noon, taking in Downtown Disney and then visiting the park Tues-Sat (departure day) with 5-day Hopper


The realization I just had is that this Disneyland trip (our first) has been in planning for years for our family and it might be a bummer to get all this way from the Midwest to be on the “outside looking in”!

Would it be inefficient to visit midday on Monday and skip the parks on Thursday?
My two major concerns is that it would give us one less crack at ROTR (I’d love to ride twice) and spring break FP availability at noon may be limited versus an earlier arrival on Thursday.

Thanks in advance for any thoughts!

I would keep Thursday. Monday you could go to the Craftsman Grill for lunch at GCH, go to Trader Sam’s and enjoy a cocktail or a non alcoholic beverage and the atmosphere, swim depending on weather or where you’re staying, and explore DtD. I love the idea of Goofy’s Kitchen for dinner and an early bedtime to get ready for the first day in the parks!

 

[TikiRob]

I would keep Thursday. Monday you could go to the Craftsman Grill for lunch at GCH, go to Trader Sam’s and enjoy a cocktail or a non alcoholic beverage and the atmosphere, swim depending on weather or where you’re staying, and explore DtD. I love the idea of Goofy’s Kitchen for dinner and an early bedtime to get ready for the first day in the parks!

It may not come as a surprise that Trader Sam's sounds right up my alley....

 

[Aurora0427]

It may not come as a surprise that Trader Sam's sounds right up my alley....

My mom and I may have gone twice when we stayed at the DLH in October..... we were so bummed we didn’t get to take my dad on our trip in January, but we are booking an extra day when they come back for the holidays in November just so we are sure to fit it in. Even my kids like it. The little one naps and we get my eight year old a huge dole whip! I LOVE tiki bars and this one is so great!!!

They have great food too! I’d go here for lunch on Monday!

 

[TikiRob]

My mom and I may have gone twice when we stayed at the DLH in October..... we were so bummed we didn’t get to take my dad on our trip in January, but we are booking an extra day when they come back for the holidays in November just so we are sure to fit it in. Even my kids like it. The little one naps and we get my eight year old a huge dole whip! I LOVE tiki bars and this one is so great!!!

They have great food too! I’d go here for lunch on Monday!

Tiki culture+Disney is my happy place! I heard its tiny and crowded at night, but is it possible to get a table for four during the day? Do they take names or is it a first-come, first-serve free for all?

 

[Aurora0427]

Tiki culture+Disney is my happy place! I heard its tiny and crowded at night, but is it possible to get a table for four during the day? Do they take names or is it a first-come, first-serve free for all?

It’s pretty quiet during the day. We were there during the insanity of Columbus Day and were able to get tables easily both days. One day was around 5ish, and the next day was maybe 2ish?

I’m not sure if they take names.

 

[gerilyne]

Tiki culture+Disney is my happy place! I heard its tiny and crowded at night, but is it possible to get a table for four during the day? Do they take names or is it a first-come, first-serve free for all?

We went mid day and it wasn't too bad. I've never seen them take names. It was always just people standing waiting for a spot. The evening we went was fairly crowded.